Type: Near Human (Insect Animorph)
Element: Bug
Frequency: Very Rare
Diet: Herbivore
Role: Scout/Spy, Sabotage, Assassinations, Demolitions, Field Medic
Libido: Low
Strong Vs: Dark, Fighting, Ground, Plan, Psychic
Weak Vs: Fire, Flying, Rock
Attacks: Black Wind, Drone, Saw Blade, Cicada Ruse, Saw Strike, Smoke, Dissolve, Rush Splash, Needle Rain, Needle Spray, White Wind, Swordwave, Heal, Honey, Strobebeam, Absorb
Enhancements: Blank Mind, Camouflage (Shadow Blend), Danger Sense, Enhanced Durability (x3), Multi-limbed (4 arms), Darkvision, Recovery, Wall Crawling, Enhanced Speed (x2), Natural Weapons (When armored: varies), Enhanced Senses (Hearing)(x4), Flight (Wings), Adaptability (Training with Ninsect: (Nincada: Tremor Sense), (Pyrofly: Enhanced Senses (Sight x4)), (Medtits: Intuitive Aptitude: Healing), (Stnobi: Enhanced Strength x2), (Aquassin: Water Breathing))
Evolves: None
Evolves From: Kunoichi (Insect E-Medal)
Revised: August 2012
Evolved from a Kunoichi that’s been exposed to an Insect E-Medal, the Shednobi (or Ninjacket to some) is yet another pokegirl breed thematically based on the pre-Sukebe pop-culture figure of ninja. This evolution to what many consider the premier ninja pokegirl seems perfectly suited to supporting the squads of Ninsect that debuted around the same time, able to complement or fill in any of the roles of their sister breed’s subtypes. Their unique and defining ability however, and both of the breed's names, is tied to its remarkable exoskeletal structure.
A Shednobi looks doesn’t take after any specific insect species but possesses definitive ‘buggy’ traits, typically less so in their unarmored state. An individual may only possess wings and antenna, or have compond eyes, and chitinous plating over joints, or be fully anthropomorphic insect women. Coloration can be muted earth tones, normal flesh tones, or other more exotic hues.
The Shednobi's name-sake comes from their completely detachable exoskeleton which looks like stylized, form fitting armor with many insectile elements when worn. The colors can be muted for stealth or marked with vivid patterns like war paint or warning markings during battle, transitioning between colorations at the will of the Shednobi. The armor has many edged, spined, or barbed protrusions; granting them a wide array of natural weapons. The armor heals damage naturally similar to the Sword Dancer's blades, and also possesses the steel-like strength.
They have the ability to instantly don or remove the armor with a swirl of organic plates, and most remarkably, the armor remains animated even when not worn. Although the movements are nowhere near as skillful as what she is capable of with her own body, at least not without a crippling degree of concentration, this animated suit of armor does serve the breed well in attempts at distraction and subterfuge. Finally, the exoskeletal armor is capable of some degree of shape-changing; as the Shednobi can will it to protect another of their choosing and it will fit them comfortably. Some cunning members of the breed have used this ability to encapsulate others in their armor offensively to bind opponents.
Upon first evolving, a Shednobi is typically most comfortable utilizing the combat tactics of their previous form but will evolve their combat styles to incorporate their more diverse power set as time goes on. A smidgen of elemental techniques are gained intuitively and they can learn more, though the process is not very intuitive for the breed so many have difficulty at first. This burden can be lessened if their tutor is a Ninsect for reasons unknown. It’s speculated that their fellow ninja bugs are able to present the new concepts in a frame that’s easier for the Shednobi to grasp. They also are known to gain other abilities unique to the subtype of Ninsect they are training with, causing a Shednobi that is a part of a full squad of Ninsects to be quite formidable compared to one that is isolated from her fellow ninja bugs. Many researchers speculate that these adaptations are innate to all Shednobi but remain dormant until exposure to the corresponding Ninsect subtype.
No notable personality shifts occur upon. Sexual tastes are diverse amongst the breed and should be taken on an individual basis.
Ferals are a low threat to travelers, considering their herbivorous diets. They do establish a territory though, and defend it with snares, pitfalls, and other hazzards of their engineering. When attacked, they're just as likely to fight back as they are to flee, and great care should be taken when pursuing a Shednobi thanks to their crude yet effective, and possibly lethal, traps. It may seem that she is running from battle right up until the point that one or two pokegirls, or even worse the tamer, falls to one of these carefully placed devices. Finally, the breed can be an absolute terror to farmers thanks to their natural affinity for stealth and combat capabilities.
The Shednobi is a rare threshold result; rarer than the Kunoichi they evolve from. Eearly symptoms of the change are skin irritation and allergic reactions as chitin grows in and aches and pains from the transformation. Should compound eyes develop dizziness and a wide array of vision problems are common as the threshold victim learns to adjust.